During of the off season it is recommended that your swimming pool remains covered when it is no longer necessary to add chemicals or keep your pool pump running due to winter temperatures.
If you are unsure when is the best time to close and cover your swimming pool, visit “Best time to close your pool“, a post in which I explain to you when you should close your swimming pool for the season.
When you cover your swimming pool you are likely going to have some rain, sleet and snow from time to time that gets on top of your pool cover. This will cause unwanted stress and the weight of the added moisture can cause damage to your cover and pool walls.
So how do you remove the water from your swimming pool cover?
The easiest way to remove the water from on top your pool cover would be to use a submersible pump that you place on the cover and allow the pump to siphon the water out automatically. Alternatively you can prime the water hose by completely filling it with a nearby faucet filling the hose and removing all the air from the hose before disconnecting it from the faucet and placing it on a downhill slope.
Removing Water Using A Submersible Pump
I have a 1/3 horsepower pump Thermoplastic submersible pump that works perfectly for the use of removing water from on top of the pool cover the entire winter season. It is easy, fast and requires no priming, luck or skill to drain the water as needed.
- Connect a standard water hose to the submersible pump of your choice. Some pumps may require an adapter connected to the exit drain of the pump that allows a regular water hose to fit properly. Most new pumps will have this adapter included if it is required. Place the pump in the water according to your manufacturers directions. Prior to placing the pump in the water make sure the pump is designed to be completely submerged beneath the water.
- Remove any kinks and cramps in the connected water hose and place the other end on a downhill surface where water is allowed to be drained.
- Plug the pump into a power outlet (preferably an outside outlet if available) and the pump will begin to suction the water off the pool cover and out of the water hose. If an extension cord is required refer to your manufacture pump manual to determine proper extension cord requirements. It may take a few moments for the pump to begin pumping water until all the air has been removed from the pumping system.
Are Submersible Pumps Safe?
As we all know water and electricity doesn’t mix and can cause electrical shock when paired together. With this being the case how can submersible pumps be safe to use since you will be placing entire pump under water.
Yes, these types of water pumps are specifically designed to be submerged under water without high risk of electrical shock. Read your owners manual and warnings prior to use. If the pump is not used properly or the pump malfunctions, the rick of shock may be present.
- The pump’s motor is sealed in a water tight housing unit. This prevents water from leaking into areas that could cause damage to the pump or electrocution.
- Long insulated power cords are attached and sealed with waterproof neoprene so that water will not come in contact with any of the internal electrical wires.
- Epoxy is filled where the cables meet with the motor housing which blocks water completely. This prevents water damage resulting in pump failure and illuminates danger.
These pumps are designed specifically to be placed under water, some of which may be placed in excess of 10 feet depending on the model. All steps are taken to insure they will operate in a safe and efficient manner while performing the job it is designed to do.
Siphon Water Manually Only Using The Water Hose.
No pump, no problem! Watch this 60 second video and learn how to siphon it with just a water hose.
If you do not want to purchase a submersible pump you can siphon the water from the pool cover fairly easily with just your water hose and the water faucet.
Before you get started make sure you have a water hose long enough to reach your water faucet and then follow the few simple steps below to begin removing water from your swimming pool.
- Tighten the water hose to the water faucet spout.
- Make sure there are not any kinks, crooks or cramps anywhere in the water hose line and place the other end of the water hose on top of the pool cover.
- Place the end of the water hose under the water completely so that no air will enter the water hose.
- Take a rock or brick and on place it on the water hose and wall so that the hose will stay under the water at all times.
- Turn on the water faucet and pump water onto the pool cover. This is done to fill the hose completely will water and remove air from the line. If air is in the line, water will not flow properly.
- Watch the water enter the pool on the cover and look for air bubbles. Once you see no air bubbles and the water is flowing nicely turn off the water.
- Carefully remove the water hose from the pool and place it on the ground in a direction that is lower than the pool cover and and the water will begin to drain off the pool cover. If the water is not draining check for any kinks in the water hose or air is still in the water hose.
- These steps do take some practice and may need to be repeated a few times before getting a good flow of water being drained. If the water stops you may need to repeat the process.
